NCHSAABaseball

Graylen Orr fires a ball to first during Monday’s conference opener against Swain. Orr manned the hill in Robbinsville’s first win of the season last week. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Graylen Orr fires a ball to first during Monday’s conference opener against Swain. Orr manned the hill in Robbinsville’s first win of the season last week. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

No Gray area

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Rosman – Over the course of 101 pitches, Graylen Orr dazzled, danced and hoodwinked the Rosman Tigers (0-4). The hosts ultimately mustered just three hits in response to the Black Knights senior, who fanned 10 in a complete-game effort.

Knights drop season debut

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 8, 2024
Tellico Plains, Tenn. – Head coach Brent Icenhower told The Graham Star that Robbinsville competed well in Tuesday’s season opener, but fell victim to fielding errors and kickstarted a rally too late in an 11-7 loss at Tellico Plains, Tenn.
Over 20 participants sprinted full speed into Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, as part of the annual “Polar Plunge.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Over 20 participants sprinted full speed into Lake Santeetlah on Saturday, as part of the annual “Polar Plunge.” Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Cooler than the flip side of the pillow

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 8, 2024
Lake Santeetlah – Like an attempt to sell ice to an eskimo, good luck convincing the participants that Saturday’s “Polar Plunge” might be the warmest one ever held.

Black Knights attempting to break through ceiling

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 1, 2024
Robbinsville – It seems to be an overarching narrative at the outset of each Black Knights baseball season: could this be the year Robbinsville qualifies for the playoffs? The drought stretches back to 2011, but Robbinsville is focused on the here and now – not the years gone by.
Senior Lathan Buchanan was named an All-Smoky Mountain Conference Honorable Mention. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Senior Lathan Buchanan was named an All-Smoky Mountain Conference Honorable Mention. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

Black Knights trio named All-Conference

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Robbinsville – With the Hayesville Yellow Jackets incurring a stunning 5-2, second-round playoff loss at the hands of Eastern Randolph on Friday, the Smoky Mountain Conference’s postseason-participation wrapped up. As such, the division announced its 2023 All-Conference team.
Junior Graylen Orr picked up his fifth win of the season Tuesday, posting a complete-game effort in Robbinsville’s 5-3 win over Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Junior Graylen Orr picked up his fifth win of the season Tuesday, posting a complete-game effort in Robbinsville’s 5-3 win over Hiwassee Dam. Photo by Montana Buchanan/The Graham Star

Quite a pickle

Kevin Hensley
Monday, May 1, 2023
Robbinsville – Just one week ago, the Black Knights were eyeing a return to the .500 mark. But after a tough 3-game skid ended with a victory in Game 2 of a doubleheader with Hiwassee Dam, Robbinsville is simply trying to tread water and hope for the best.
Senior first baseman Lathan Buchanan recorded two doubles and drove in five runs for Robbinsville in Tuesday’s 14-3 road win over Andrews. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Senior first baseman Lathan Buchanan recorded two doubles and drove in five runs for Robbinsville in Tuesday’s 14-3 road win over Andrews. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Knights continue hot run

Kevin Hensley
Friday, April 21, 2023
Andrews – By the end of the week, Robbinsville could be a .500 ball club – for the first time this year. Nearly faded is the memory of the ugly 0-6 start to the campaign: since March 28, the Black Knights have amassed a 6-2 record and with return contests against Copper Basin, Tenn.
Ethan Orr patiently awaits his chance to swing Monday against Towns County, Ga. The next day, Orr homered and pitched a complete game for Robbinsville, helping lift the Black Knights to a 5-3 home win over Rosman. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Ethan Orr patiently awaits his chance to swing Monday against Towns County, Ga. The next day, Orr homered and pitched a complete game for Robbinsville, helping lift the Black Knights to a 5-3 home win over Rosman. Photo courtesy of Fala Welch/Contributing Photographer

Not your average Knights

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Robbinsville – Just 2 ½ weeks ago, the Black Knights were 0-6 and had only played one seven-inning game to start the season. Counting Tuesday’s 5-3 home victory over Rosman, Robbinsville has went 5-2 to put the bumpy opening of the campaign in the rearview mirror.
The Robbinsville Black Knights have good reason to smile: the team has recently put together its first winning streak of the season. Graylen Orr (2) struck out 10 Copper Basin batters in just four innings of work Monday, as Robbinsville made the streak official with an 8-7 win over the Cougars. Clockwise from Orr are Bryc Garrison, head coach Brent Icenhower, Lathan Buchanan, Alex Knight, Caleb Turpin, Quinn Jumper, Preston Phillips, Ethan Orr and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Black Knights have good reason to smile: the team has recently put together its first winning streak of the season. Graylen Orr (2) struck out 10 Copper Basin batters in just four innings of work Monday, as Robbinsville made the streak official with an 8-7 win over the Cougars. Clockwise from Orr are Bryc Garrison, head coach Brent Icenhower, Lathan Buchanan, Alex Knight, Caleb Turpin, Quinn Jumper, Preston Phillips, Ethan Orr and Bryce Adams. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Have yourself a day, kid

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Robbinsville – He was a one-man wrecking crew. At the outset of Monday’s home game against Copper Basin, Tenn., Black Knights junior Graylen Orr had just 16 strikeouts across four starts.
Robbinsville senior Lathan Buchanan relishes his first-ever varsity home run after Tuesday’s 12-7 win over Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville senior Lathan Buchanan relishes his first-ever varsity home run after Tuesday’s 12-7 win over Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Win No. 1 is here

Kevin Hensley
Friday, March 31, 2023
Robbinsville – Finally. Entering Tuesday’s home game against Cherokee, the Robbinsville varsity baseball team was winless. In 5-of-their-first-6 games, the Black Knights had lost by eight or more runs and opponents had outscored Robbinsville 84-15.